Becoming Maverick

01/15/2026

Fulfilled humans and dogs, that’s what we’re all about. Want to learn how you can enhance your relationship with your best friend? Check out us. Shoot a message or give us as call 📞.

Www.becomingmaverick.com
Helping dogs and owners since 2018

01/15/2026

Maverick used to open doors! Still can, but only opens the truck windows these days. Anyone else’s dog have ninja like abilities!?

12/30/2025

Shorter version of our earlier post, from 1st January, you we only get the shorter version posts on this page, for the long in-depth article you have to subscribe (£0.99/$1.30), hit the subscribe button on our page.

Dogs Learn in Pictures, Not Paragraphs

Dogs don’t think things through.
They associate.

Lead + keys + boots = walk.
Same picture, same reaction.

If your dog explodes at the sight of the lead, it’s not excitement, it’s anticipation without regulation.

Want calmer behaviour?
Change the picture.

Pick up the lead. Put it down. Nothing happens.
Make the crate mean calm, not punishment.
Stop rigid routines.

Dogs don’t hate objects, they hate predictable outcomes.

Edit the picture…
and the behaviour follows.

12/20/2025

Local clients. Click the link to read more

A fatal case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been confirmed in a dog in Alberta — the second confirmed case in Canada. While HPAI primarily affects birds, it can also infect domestic animals, including pets, through contact with, or ingestion of, infected wild birds.

What you can do to keep your pet safe:
- Keep pets away from wild birds and carcasses,
- Avoid feeding raw poultry or unpasteurized milk,
- Contact your veterinarian if your pet shows respiratory or neurological symptoms.

Cats are particularly vulnerable, with cases often linked to infected birds or raw pet food. Farm cats can be early indicators of HPAI on dairy or poultry farms, so monitor their health closely.

Learn more about HPAI and how to help protect animals by visiting the Government of Alberta website: https://www.alberta.ca/h5n1-avian-influenza-in-alberta

08/30/2025

Life and training are not mutually exclusive. They are interconnected and interwoven into our experience and relationships. Everything I’ve learned in all areas of my life I apply to “dog training” and better educating my students. Everything in “dog training” I also apply to everything I do and teach. Always learning and improving, while finding better ways to navigate this thing we call life, training, and my understanding of it all. That’s what you will learn.

08/30/2025

Working on our body conditioning. Two years ago we began implementing intentional movement to improve range of motion and improve imbalances in Mavericks hind end. No different than what we call a “work out”. Then we go back to hunting gophers, it’s our routine. I’ll video our circuit next, always fun being with my best buddy.

08/23/2025

Last week I found myself unsettled by the advice my client was given from her puppy's breeder on how to help stop jumping.

The owner informed me their breeder told them to step on their puppy's back paw to teach them to stop jumping...

Please DO NOT do this. You will break your dogs foot and/or toes as well as the trust and bond you are wanting to build with your pup.

With all the arguments online about "methodology" and slander campaigns about aversive tools, people are distracted and missing the point (and the big picture).

Uneducated improper advice is dangerous. Stepping on your puppy's (or dogs) foot to teach them not to do something is abusive- period. It will negatively impact the dog's psyche as well give them a broken foot.

This advice is not appropriate nor accurate behaviorally in any context. It will not help teach them in any capacity.

I have been thinking of all the puppy owners who have been told this advice and who take it seriously (as many do when provided by a professional). The poor owners and the poor dogs.

If you know someone who has been told this advice, please inform them immediately. If you have been given this advice yourself, I am sorry you were mislead. Although in many cases it is unintentional and those providing the advice genuinely believe in the advice they provide, it shows there are greater flaws in the industry. We can do better and it starts with education.

Our goal at Becoming Maverick is to spread proper education to owners and canine professionals. Education that improves the quality of life and care of the dogs, owners, and ourselves.

When we know better, we do better.

*photo is not of client puppy. Photo is of Maverick, my Siberian Husky companion who began this entire movement. He is held by my Nana, this was the first time they met-- it highlights the beginning of a bond and beautiful relationship.